Bus Tour of Great Italy & Greece & Balkans 8 Days
1. DAY: DEPARTURE FROM ISTANBUL TO SELANİK
Our tour begins with a meeting at 20:00 at Kadıköy Marriage Registry Office, at 20:30 in front of Trump Tower Mecidiyeköy, at 21:00 in front of Ömür Plaza İncirli, and at 21:30 in front of Marmara Park Havaist Stop in Beylikdüzü. We start our journey. We will pass through Tekirdağ and arrive at İpsala. After customs and passport procedures, we will enter Greece. Continuing via Dedeağaç, Gümülcine, İskeçe, we proceed on our route.
Route: İpsala – Kipi – Kavala – Thessaloniki
Approximate Distance: 570 km
2. DAY: THESSALONIKI – IGOUMENITSA
Then, a city tour of Thessaloniki. During the city tour, we will see the Coast, White Tower, Rotunda, Expo Square, Ottoman and Byzantine landmarks, the largest Greek Cathedral Aya Dimitros, and the Great Alexander Statue. At the end of the tour, we will visit Atatürk's house. After a brief rest, we will take a walk along the Coast, famous for its cafes, and taste Greece's renowned coffee, Frappe. After free time, we will gather at the designated time and head to Igoumenitsa Port. Following customs procedures and boarding procedures assigned for our group, we will transfer to our reserved seats on the ferry. Our night will be spent on the ferry cruise.
Breakfast: Will be available freely in Thessaloniki (not included)
Lunch: Will be available freely in Thessaloniki (not included)
Dinner: Will be available freely along the route (not included)
Currency: Euro
Route: Thessaloniki – Igoumenitsa
Approximate Distance: 320 km
Ferry Boarding Time: Approximately 21:00 depending on port entry
3. DAY: BAR – NAPLES – ROME (POMPEII)
After arriving at Italy’s port city Bari/Brindisi in the morning, we will proceed to Rome, where our accommodations are arranged. Our first stop will be Naples. In this warm and lively southern Italian city, notable sights include Castel Nuovo, Piazza del Plebiscito, Teatro di San Carlo. If permitted, we will have the opportunity to join an optional paid (39€) tour of the ancient city of Pompeii. In Pompeii, located on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, we will see well-preserved ruins of shops, houses, an amphitheater, and the city square that reflect ancient life after the volcano's eruption. Afterwards, we will head to Italy's capital, Rome. If time permits, a night tour of Rome under the lights will be organized, where we will see iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, and Via del Corso. We will then transfer to our hotel, check in, and rest.
Breakfast: Will be available freely in Bari (not included)
Lunch: Will be available freely in Pompeii (not included)
Dinner: Will be available freely in Rome (not included)
Currency: Euro
Route: Bari – Naples – Pompeii – Rome
Approximate Distance: 370 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated at 21:30
4. DAY: VATICAN – ROME – SIENA
After breakfast, we will undertake a city tour of Rome. Sites include Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica, which features Michelangelo’s Pietà. Other highlights are Rome Forum, Trajan’s Forum, Circus Maximus, Mussolini’s Venedik Square, Vittoriano Monument, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps. Then, we will depart for Siena, a medieval city. Upon arrival, we will walk through the ancient streets dating back to Etruscan times. Key sights include Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, Mangia Tower, Siena Cathedral (Duomo), and Gothic architecture examples. Afterward, we will transfer to our hotel for check-in and overnight stay.
Breakfast: Included at the hotel
Lunch: Will be available freely in Rome (not included)
Dinner: Will be available freely in Siena (not included)
Currency: Euro
Route: Rome – Siena – Hotel
Approximate Distance: 360 km
5. DAY: FLORENCE & PISA & MILAN (Outlet Shopping)
After breakfast and checking out, our private bus will take us to Florence, the Renaissance capital. In Florence, we will explore the city with a tour covering the Arno River, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, Baptistery of St. John, Florence Cathedral (Duomo), and Signoria Palace. After the tour, free time is at leisure in the city center. Then, we will visit Pisa to view the Leaning Tower, Piazza dei Miracoli (Cathedral, Baptistery), and take unique photos. After Pisa, if permitted, a paid (25€) outlet shopping tour will be offered, where you can buy famous brands at very affordable prices. Later, we will transfer to Milan for check-in and rest.
Breakfast: Included at the hotel
Lunch: Will be available freely in Florence (not included)
Dinner: Will be available freely in Verona (not included)
Currency: Euro
Route: Pisa – Florence – Milan
Approximate Distance: 465 km
6. DAY: MILAN – VERONA – VENICE
After breakfast, we will depart from Milan, Italy’s fashion and industry hub, for a city tour. Highlights include the stunning Duomo Cathedral, Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, and shopping along the famous Buenos Aires Boulevard. In the late afternoon, we will head to Verona, the city of love. In Verona, we will explore the old city, which includes the Arena, Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House), and other historical sites. Then, we will proceed to Venice. Upon arrival, we will take private gondola rides through the canals, experiencing the romantic waterways, and visit Piazza San Marco, Saint Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, the Grand Canal, and Rialto Bridge. Free time is available after the city tour. We will transfer to our hotel and check in for the night.
Breakfast: Included at the hotel
Lunch: Will be available freely along the route (not included)
Dinner: Will be available freely in Venice (not included)
Currency: Euro
Route: Milan – Verona – Venice
Approximate Distance: 265 km
7. DAY: VENICE – LJUBLJANA – BELGRADE
After breakfast and check-out, we will depart for Belgrade, Serbia’s capital. First, we will stop in Ljubljana, Slovenia's charming capital, and enjoy a walking tour. Sightseeing includes Preseren Square, Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge, and Ljubljana Castle. Then, crossing into Croatia, we will reach Belgrade. In Belgrade, we will explore on foot, with highlights including Kneza Mihailova Street, Kalemegdan Fortress, Frushtuh Stadium, Istanbul Gate, Damat Ali Pasha Tomb, panoramic points, Victor Monument, Zindan Gate, Leopold Gate, Clock Tower, and city walls. The rest of the evening is free for optional activities, such as sampling ice cream or relaxing at a cafe.
Breakfast: Included at the hotel
Lunch: Will be available freely in Ljubljana (not included)
Dinner: Will be available freely in Belgrade (not included)
Currency: Euro
Route: Venice – Ljubljana – Belgrade
Approximate Distance: 725 km
8. DAY: BELGRADE – SOFIA – ISTANBUL
After breakfast and check-out, we will depart for Sofia, Bulgaria. Upon arrival, a panoramic city tour will be conducted, including visits to St. Nedelya Church, Rotunda Church, Russian Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Parliament, University of Sofia, Banya Bashi Mosque, and NDK Cultural Palace. After the tour, we will start our return journey to Istanbul. Approximate arrival at 00:30.
Breakfast: Included at the hotel
Lunch: Will be available freely in Sofia (not included)
Dinner: Will be available freely along the route (not included)
Currency: Euro
Route: Belgrade – Sofia – Istanbul
Approximate Distance: 890 km
What's Included
• Comfortable transportation service between Istanbul–Thessaloniki-Igoumenitsa-Bari-Naples-Rome-Siena-Pisa-Florence-Verona-Milan-Venice-Ljubljana-Belgrade-Sofia-Istanbul with luxury buses.
• City tours will be conducted in Rome-Naples-Florence-Siena-Pisa-Milan-Verona-Venice-Ljubljana-Thessaloniki-Belgrade-Sofia.
• Accommodation in 3 and 4-star hotels with breakfast included in the specified cities.
• Ferry journey between Igoumenitsa and Bari/Brindisi.
• Professional Turkish guiding services.
Not Included
• Visa fee and service charge (Multiple Entry Schengen Visa)
• International exit tax
• Travel Health Insurance
• Lunch and Dinner
• Vaporetto fee (round trip 29 Euro and 9 Euro Venice city entry tax)
• Optional tours organized by the guide
• Entrance fees for museums, archaeological sites, etc.
• Total hotel city taxes 69€ (City tax collected per person as accommodation taxes, city entry fees, is collected by the guide at the beginning of the tour and paid to the requesting authorities)
• All personal expenses
• Optional driver tips
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